Nicola Sturgeon has laughed at rumors she’s a secret lesbian

Nicola Sturgeon says she “laughed” at an internet conspiracy theory claiming she is a secret lesbian in a relationship with a French diplomat.

The former Scottish Prime Minister – who was succeeded by Humza Yousaf as leader of the Scottish National Party – explained on the BBC podcast Nicola Sturgeon that rumors about her personal life were “part of the reason” for her resignation.

Of the many claims and conspiracy theories that have swirled around the politician – who is married to former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell – one touted the claim that she was a closeted lesbian.

The rumor suggested Sturgeon was in a secret relationship with a French diplomat and – bizarrely – the pair were planning to buy a house together from Judy, the mother of tennis star Andy Murrary.

The i newspaper reported of her: “I’ve read accounts of my life on social media and I find it sounds so much more glamorous and so much more exciting.

“I have houses all over the place if you believe social media!”

Without revealing the person she has been linked to in the rumours, Sturgeon said, “I’ll tell you off-camera which it’s supposed to be, but whatever it is, we actually had a laugh about it.”

Sturgeon wishes she had more privacy in her private life

For Sturgeon, the online rumor mill contributed to her decision to step down from Scotland’s top job after eight years.

“Part of it is the nature of the media climate we live in right now, but maybe that’s why I’m stepping down now,” she said.

“I’m not naïve, I don’t think I’m going to resign one day and be totally anonymous the next day, I understand the reality of what I’ve done and I’ll still be in Parliament, but I want to get around to have a little more privacy.”

She added that she wants more anonymity and “to protect some of what people take for granted in their lives that I forgot to have.”

“I partly take credit for the fact that people still think they don’t know everything about me. I’ve obviously managed to protect a bit of privacy, and that’s a good thing.”

Sturgeon announced her resignation as SNP leader and first minister on February 15, and after Yousaf’s election as her successor on March 27, she will remain a backbencher in Parliament, representing her Glasgow Southside constituency.

In her closing speech to the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, she said it was time she “contributed in another capacity to causes that are close to my heart”.

“After 35 years in politics, 24 years in Parliament, 16 years in government and more than eight years as First Minister, it is time for politician Nicola Sturgeon to make a little room for the person Nicola Sturgeon,” she said the chamber.